Gorguth, Warlord of the Hobgoblins, sat brooding on his stone throne in the Fortress of Blood. He made an imposing figure, the size of a human but twice as muscular, his orange body covered in the black and red spiked armor that had saved him so many times. His face was painted with the colors of death, to show his strength in battle. But now that strength would fail him. How simple it had been to wipe out goblins before! Now, for reasons he could not imagine, the Steeldoom were gathering, ready to invade his own territory. No hobgoblins would survive this assault, he knew. The Steeldoom were far too vicious and cruel, slaughtering all in their path.

He did not want to admit it, but he was going to be destroyed.

There was a flash of light that forced him to look up. Standing before him were two men. Pasellius made his typical imperial impression. The wizard next to him was cloaked in navy robes, with a long cloak. The hood was raised and only the left eye was visible beneath it. Gorguth stood up, reaching for his mighty axe, ready to smite these sudden intruders.

“Greetings Gorguth, Warlord of the Hobgoblins.” Pasellius bowed extravagantly. “I am Pasellius, the Envoy of Farodia. I seek to make your acquaintance.”

“Why are you here, envoy? To ask for me to surrender my honor to the Steeldoom?” Gorguth growled.

Pasellius waved his hands airily. “Not at all, my friend. It’s just that the Emperor has noticed you seem to have a goblin and human problem. We have shared goals.”

“You are not with the Steeldoom gathering outside my lands?” Gorguth set the axe down and went back to his throne. “Who are you?”

“We are from the Golden Empire of Farodia.” Pasellius answered dramatically. “And we have come to offer aid. It’s in both of our interests to see that the Eagle Kingdom—the Steeldoom who are about to invade you—are defeated. If the invasion is repelled, then they will be weak and vulnerable.”

“And why do you seek to destroy the Steeldoom, envoy?” Gorguth was very suspicious of this weak-looking thing before him.

“Our business is our own, my lord.” Pasellius replied. “But we hope you can resist the Eagle Kingdom, or perhaps even destroy it.”

Gorguth did not trust these creatures, but he had no choice. He needed some help against the Steeldoom, and no matter how questionable this Farodia was, it was offering him aid.

“How many soldiers can you provide?” Gorguth asked.

“I am afraid we cannot directly provide any soldiers, my lord.” Pasellious shook his head sadly. “Alas, the distance between us is far too great.”

“You just appeared in my throne room with your magic! How can you not send your army?”

“I am but one man.” The wizard said.

“We aren’t able to teleport entire armies, my lord.” Pasellius lied. “But we can open a second front on the Eagle Kingdom.”

The wizard conjured a blue square and a map of Lake Perry and Harmony Forest. Orange, red, blue, and gold shapes appeared on it, representing the hobgoblins, goblins, Steeldoom, and Farodia, respectively.

“While the Steeldoom and goblins attack you, their backs shall be vulnerable to our assault. We shall break their supply lines and massacre them. The Steeldoom, while very powerful, cannot fight two powers at once.” Pasellious explained. “Of course, that is not all of the help we can provide against the Eagle Kingdom, my lord. We have other, interesting things to provide…”

Gorguth was intrigued. “Such as…?”
“Holanthion?” Pasellious stepped back as the wizard moved forward. The navy man pulled a red circle inlayed with yellow runes from his robes.

“This is a Talisman of the Inferno.” Holanthion’s voice was deep and businesslike. “With it, you will be able to control and produce powerful flames. I must warn you that magic fire is just like normal fire; it will burn all that it can.”

Though very interested in the Talisman of the Inferno, Gorguth hid his excitement. “Do you take me for a fool who does not know how to control fire?”

“Just a simple reminder, my lord.” Pasellious interjected. “Too many great Warlords have been lost to such simple but forgotten principles.”

“Hmph.” Gorguth snorted. “Is that all you can give?”

“Of course not.” Holanthion’s eye gleamed. The wizard waved his arms and, in a second flash of light, a giant glass box filled to the brim with water and very large fish. Inside, swimming among the fish, was a strange cross of a human and a sea creature, with webbed digits, green scaled skin, and gills.

“This is Epalzeorhynchos, a fishfolk who has mastered these most terrible creatures.” Holanthion explained. “These are vicious, bloodthirsty, powerful creatures. Set these loose in your lake and the Steeldoom cannot last for long.”

Gorguth stared at the glass tank. What was this Farodia that could create such wonders?

“And we have very important information for you as well, my lord.” Pasellious stepped around from behind the tank. “Information that will win this war. You have almost five-thousand hobgoblins, correct?”

“All strong and willing to fight to the last.” Gorguth confirmed proudly.

“Then you will be pleased to hear that the Steeldoom are sending a mere two-thousand soldiers to fight you. They do not know your number.” Pasellious’ smile widened as he saw Gorguth’s toothy and menacing grin. “Yes, I am sure you know what this means, my lord. A fine rout! There are but two complications. Firstly, the Eagle Kingdom has several wizards under their command. Above all others you must kill them. They must be your priority. They will be dressed in blue robes. If they are allowed to live, even with your numbers you may yet fall.”

Gorguth eyed Holanthion, who still held the Taslisman of the Inferno. “What is the second complication, envoy?”

“There are two among the Steeldoom who have become epic, my lord.” Pasellious said gravely. “All those who reach epic level are, to the common hobgoblin, invincible. Worse, one of these two is a wizard. She alone could destroy a legion. The other is the greatest Steeldoom of them all, their leader, Molossus. He can cut through whole armies like a knife through butter. I tell you this because there is but one way to defeat them: An arrow or sling, to the head, when they do not expect it.”

Gorguth shivered. He had heard tales of those who became epic, but he had never put any stock in them. Now he would face two such monsters.

“Fortunately, the Emperor predicts that at least one of the two—perhaps even both—will move from your front to ours once we make our attack.” Pasellious concluded.

“Tell me, envoy.” Gorguth held rested his hand on the handle of his axe, seemingly calm. “Does your Farodia have any epic champions?”

Pasellious nodded fervently. “We have two, my lord. The great General Tardorum, and the Emperor himself. Unfortunately, they cannot fight this battle with you.”

Gorguth was silent. All that this Farodia was giving him changed the entire war, to be sure, but he still did not fully trust them. What did they want in exchange?

“This is a great gift, all of it.” The hobgoblin began. “But I have to wonder, what does this Emperor want in return? Why should he give me this freely?”

“We want one thing, and one thing only.” Pasellious said, clasping his hands together behind his back. “Once this is over, we would like to search your land for… treasure, similar to that Talisman of the Inferno. You will not interfere, of course.”

“Of course.” Gorguth knew something was up.

“So, Gorguth, Warlord of the Hobgoblins, do you accept our terms and our aid? I must warn you, without us you will die.”

Gorguth almost laughed. They acted like he had a choice. “Very well, envoy. Tell your Emperor I accept his help. He is free to search my lands.”

“Excellent!” Pasellious smiled widely. Holanthion placed the Talisman of the Inferno before the throne and waved his arms, warping the tank into the lake. “I do hope that this is the beginning of a beautiful—and long—friendship between our nations.”

Holanthion was about to teleport the two humans away when Pasellious stopped him. “I would just like to add that the Troutflicker Clan is ignoring its own defense, confident in the Steeldoom.”

The envoy bowed and the Farodians vanished.

Gorguth stared at the Talisman of the Inferno. He bent down and picked it up, turning it over in his hands. Something occurred to him.

How had they spoken hobgoblin?

Learnwise walked out of his wigwam and stretched. It was looking to be a gorgeous day and, for the first time since all of this Steeldoom nonsense had started, nothing was one the agenda. At last a day he could simply relax and enjoy life. Maybe he’d spend it with Applethrow, or maybe he’d find a nice hive to harvest…

Predictably his day did not stay free for long.

Timinar approached, Efrempti situated on his shoulder. “Hello Learnwise. We have important work to do today.”

“No, YOU have important work. There’s nothing that I have to do today.” Learnwise protested, though he knew he would lose the case.

“Firstly, as son of Chief Groundrock, you are supposed to constantly be kept in the loop as to the developments of your new country.” Timinar said. “The chieftains have decided that, as you have spent the most time in Soltador, you are to select the six goblins you think would be best suited to going to Soltador, Koholon, and the Boat of Order to study architecture.”

Learnwise sighed in defeat. Applethrow would be disappointed. What did architecture even mean?

“The chieftains have also demanded that you find a way to arrange a trip to Soltador for them.” The wizard continued without stopping. “Also, the chieftains have decided that, due to your talent for quick thinking and how friendly you are with the Steeldoom that you should be the lead goblin in the invasion.”

Learnwise cocked his head, sure that Timinar had misspoken. “What.”

“The chieftains have decided that, due to your talent for quick thinking and how friendly you are with the Steeldoom that you should be the lead goblin in the invasion.” Timinar repeated.

“Me? Why would they ever select me?” Learnwise threw his hands into the air in exasperation. “Are all of them insane?”

“Your father voted against it, so not all of them are insane.” Timinar replied unhelpfully. “General Valiance has reported all of this to King Molossus, who, knowing of your lack of combat prowess—at least compared to creatures over three feet tall—has sent one of his best to instruct you.”

“I don’t… but…” Learnwise shook his head. He hadn’t even had breakfast and now he was leading an army. What army? The goblins didn’t have an army, the Steeldoom did… He sighed. “What is architecture anyway?”

“I don’t know how to arrange a trip to Soltador for all of you.” Learnwise glowered at the chieftains. “Maybe if I wasn’t suddenly leading an army we don’t have I could learn how.”

“Don’t you disrespect your elders!” Chief Emberneed scorned. “Hardly older than a gobling and thinks he can speak that way to us!”

“Well if I’m so young then why did you pick me?”

“Because you are the bravest goblin we know.” Groundrock said, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder. “While I do not agree with the decision, I can see the reasoning. You don’t know just how brave you are. Normal goblins could never have gone to Cridon and faced the Steeldoom.”

“I was terrified the entire time!” Learnwise countered.

“But you still went. We all become scared, Learnwise. We fear a great many things. Bravery is overcoming those fears, not being unafraid.”

“In addition, young goblin, your many battles with vile monsters have not gone unnoticed.” Chief Fieldflow added cheerfully. “In particular, your goring at the hands of the giant bee and overcoming the powerful poison speaks greatly of your fortitude.”

“Those were just stories I told Applethrow!” Learnwise said, dumbfounded. “You can’t honestly believe them!”

“The decision is final.” Oakspine held a hand up, silencing Learnwise. “You started this, you shall see it through. Now arrange our visit to Soltador so that we may see our future castles up close.”

Efrempti landed on Learnwise’s shoulder. “The trainers from Soltador have arrived.”

Learnwise glared at the chieftains. “I have to go. You all have legs, why don’t you just walk to Soltador?”

Efrempti led Learnwise out to an isolated clearing in the woods. Timinar, General Valiance, and a shabby man in patched-up clothes were waiting for him. Planted in the ground were four small, impromptu dummies made from straw sacks. Timinar held out his arm and Efrempti left the goblin’s shoulder.

“Learnwise, this is Royal Alchemist Flamel.” General Valiance said. The shabby man stepped forward and bowed slightly. “He is here to assist in your instruction.”

“A pleasure to meet the goblin himself!” Flamel said.

“Now, if you will excuse me, there’s lots more work to do.” General Valiance said, saluting and taking his leave with Timinar.

Learnwise looked at the four dummies. “So Flamel, what do I do? Do I hi these things in the ground?”

Flamel laughed and scratched his head. “That’s not up to me. I just make potions, transmute metals, that sort of thing. I’m an alchemist.”

“Transmute? What does that mean?”

Flamel waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just here with my friend to watch because I have some time free and I’ve been curious to meet the famous talking goblin.”

“Glad someone has free time.” Learnwise mumbled. “Well if you’re not going to train me, what am I doing here? Who is going to train me?”

“I am.”

Learnwise turned around and was startled to see a human he could have sworn was not there a moment ago. The man had a long sky blue cloak over a simple black shirt and pants with an abundance of pockets, two short swords at his side. He had shoulder length straw colored hair and a completely expressionless face.

“I am Van Mord. I am the greatest rogue in the Eagle Kingdom.”

This man intimidated Learnwise, especially since he described himself as a rogue.

“Let us begin. We do not have much time.” Van Mord vanished with a twist of his cloak. Learnwise looked to see where he had gone only to find him standing next to Flamel.

“You must first understand what a rogue is if you seek to become one. A rogue is an essential part of every government. Though the Eagle Kingdom claims to always do the honorable thing, the reality is that without rogues such as myself the Eagle Kingdom could not have come to be. We are the dedicated few who perform the unscrupulous activities the king does not want known or seen. We operate in secrecy, in stealth, and in speed. We must, for we cannot afford to be discovered. We are called rogues for this reason, because if we are found out we are simply rogue agents who no longer listen to King Molossus.”

Learnwise shivered. This was all a little too much for him to take in at once, especially since Van Mord spoke very quickly. But the man and his message frightened the goblin.

“Now you are being trained as a rogue because you, as a goblin, are simply too small to be effective in traditional combat.” Van Mord explained. “You will wear no armor but your agility, no weapon but your secrecy and silence. Your blades will strike fast and to kill. Like so.”

Faster than the blink of an eye Van Mord had drawn both blades and sliced open each of the four dummies. As the straw poured out Learnwise gasped in amazement. The rogue had already replaced his weapons.

“It takes years of dedicated training to become as good as I am. I am merely here to train you how to survive the coming conflict.” Van Mord reached into a pocket and pulled out a measure. “The dagger at your side isn’t good enough for you anymore. You are no longer a goblin, but a rogue in training. Your standards for weapons must be high. Hold out your arms.”

Van Mord measured Learnwise all over his body. When he was finished he put the measure back in its place. “The dwarves shall craft you fine blades, blades of tempered steel. We shall make you special leather armor for some protection while maintaining your speed. Now get some rest, goblin. There will be much to do tomorrow.”

Van Mord vanished.

“Just barrels of fun, isn’t he?” Flamel said.

Wendy Aucavo wiped her brow. Tending the farm was so much work now that her father had finally passed on and left it to her. She hated the place, but what could she do? She was just a young woman tending the family vegetable farm by herself. Even if she was pretty, with long, golden hair, wide blue eyes and soft pale skin, she was still just a farmer. If only she could find a way out…

Mr. Grell from the farm down the path strolled up to the fence of her field and leaned on it. “Ah, Wendy, it’s good to see you’re working. Not taking your papa’s death hard, are you?”

“No, it was his time.” She said, glad to have an excuse not to work. “It’s sad, but what can you do? Bad things happen, and we can never know when we’ll get sick.”

“Aye, true, true.” Grell nodded, reminiscing about his old friend. “I tell you lass, just keep working. If you want to be comfortable you’ve got to find some way to occupy yourself.”

“Oh yes.” Wendy said. “But I’m not so sure I can take care of all of this by myself. I need a man for a farm. This is no job for a woman.”

“Well, if you need any help we’d be happy to provide you.” Grell stood up straight. “Now if you want, I’d be happy to let you marry one of me boys, Leth has always had a soft spot for you…”

“Thank you for your kindness, but this is an offer I will have to take time to consider.” Wendy replied. “Marriage is, after all, a life changing event.”

“True that, true that.” Grell went back to leaning on the fence. “Take your time, lass. Now have you heard the latest about all of this goblin nonsense?”

“Not since father died, no.” Wendy loved hearing about these goblins that suddenly seemed so important. They were moving up in the world, and if goblins could go places, then surely she could too… “Why? What’s going on?”

Grell shook his head in disbelief. “They say that they’ve got a wizard!”

Wendy gasped. “A real wizard?”

“Very real, if I’m right.” Grell nodded, smiling. “Makes you think about how low wizard standards have gotten. Why, back in my day, being a wizard meant something. Now, though…”

The gears began turning in Wendy’s mind. Wizards were almost always wealthy, intelligent people. If this wizard was as she imagined him—young, handsome, charming, unwed, and definitely male—she might have just found her way out of this place…

With a wild smile on her features, she curtseyed to Mr. Grell. “I’m sorry, but I just remembered something very important I have to attend to. I appreciate you coming all the way up here to talk to me.”

“It was no problem at all.” Grell said, turning around. “All right, I’ll see you, then. Good luck with whatever it is you’re doing, and come back to me with an answer about Leth!”

“I will, thank you!” Wendy waved him goodbye. She quickly ran to her stores of vegetables.

Every army needs food, and every crazy plan needs a method…

She hitched up her donkey, Pisky, to her cart filled with fresh produce and rode off to find her wizard husband.

“We chose Learnwise of the Honeyrumble to lead the invasion.” Nutgore explained to his mate, Pinemeddle, and his goblings Dirtred, Hardbark, Fogreek, and Valleydig as they sat around the fire in his wigwam back in Troutflicker. “That’ll show old Groundrock to stay in line. I tell you, those Honeyrumble have gotten out of control. I would have us run them out if their stupid idea wasn’t working. Still, when Learnwise dies they’ll learn their lesson and stay nice and quiet.”

“But if Learnwise dies who will be their chief?” Little Fogreek asked. “What will they do then? You can’t let Learnwise die!”

“Oh I can all right.” Nutgore said coldly. “The Undercandle and the Troutflicker have always been the enemy of the Honeyrumble, and just because the Steeldoom are here doesn’t mean that’s gonna change!”

There was a scream outside. “What’s going on?” Pinemeddle asked worryingly.

Nutgore got to his feet and stepped over his goblings to the wigwam’s entrance. “I don’t know, but I’ll deal with it.”

He stepped outside for a second then turned back in. “It’s the hobbs! We’re under attack! Pinemeddle, my spear!”

As his mate handed him his spear Nutgore instructed his family on what to do. “Put out that fire, stay hidden inside, and don’t make a sound. If they find you you’re dead! I’ll be back for you when this is over!”

Nutgore sealed the entrance to the wigwam and surveyed the scene. The sticks that served as makeshift homes were being crushed by the hobbs, who, the size of Steeldoom, easily overpowered the defenseless goblins. The goblins they caught were savagely beaten with clubs and stabbed with spears. The chief heard a whistling noise and looked up to see thirty arrows flying through the air. He managed to dodge out of the way, but many goblins weren’t so lucky. Some of the few goblins who were defending themselves with sharpened sticks fell to the arrows. Death was everywhere, and goblin and gobling alike were taken by it.

Suddenly, to Nutgore’s immense horror, a blast of flame shot out and into a wigwam, exploding in a mess of burning wood and flesh. The warlord Gorguth stepped into view, a terrible sight to behold in his armor and war paint. Around his neck hung a glowing red talisman with yellow runes. The hobgoblin cackled and lobbed a fireball lazily into a pile of sticks. The poor goblin struggling to escape the pile shrieked in agony as his flesh burned.

Nutgore threw the spear with all his might straight at the exposed face of Gorguth, but the warlord burned the spear to nothing with a wave of his hand. The hobgoblin turned to face the goblin chieftain. “So you want to fight me, eh? Well then I’ll take you up on your challenge!” Laughing, he forced a powerful blast of fire at Nutgore, who threw himself to the ground to avoid it, but was seared black by the heat as his furs caught fire. The blast struck his wigwam, destroying it and killing his family instantly.

“No!” He cried, reaching out for his loved ones, tears of anguish and pain streaming down his face.

“Play with fire and you’re gonna get burned!” Gorguth stomped over to the wrecked wigwam. Amazingly, little Fogreek had survived, horribly burned, struggling free from his home’s remains. Gorguth picked the gobling up with one hand.

“It feels good to destroy you goblins, you know that?” He said, taking a deep breath. “The smell of burning goblin… delicious. But I am merciful, Nutgore. If you tell me where the wizards are, then I might just let your gobling go.”

Butgore just barely managed to look up at the hobgoblin holding his son. “P…Please, he’s just a gobling…”

“That doesn’t sound like where the wizards are to me!” Gorguth shook Fogreek violently. “Does that sound like where the wizards are to you, gobling?”

“St—stop!” Nutgore cried. “Just… let my son go… I’ll tell!”

“I’m listening, goblin.”

“I only know one… he’s in… Honeyrumble.” Nutgore’s breathing was ragged. “Now please… my son…”

“Of course.” Gorguth bowed sarcastically. “A deal is a deal, and I’m a hobgoblin of my word.” Fogreek burst into flames and screamed in pain. Gorguth dropped him next to Nutgore. “He’s free to go.”

The warlord stepped over them laughing, as Nutgore reached out for his son one last time.

Learnwise woke up very surprised to find himself not in his nice straw with his beautiful Applethrow by his side but back in the clearing with Van Mord standing over him.

“Troutflicker has been obliterated.” Van Mord said flatly. “The hobgoblins attacked last night. There was only one survivor. Now I should not have allowed you to loaf around yesterday when there was valuable training time. I will not make that mistake again.”

Van Mord took out a chunk of cheese and handed it to the sleepy and surprised goblin. “You have five minutes before we start.”

The rogue vanished.

Learnwise bit into the cheese. The Troutflicker destroyed? That meant Nutgore was gone. The Honeyrumble and the Troutflicker had always been enemies, but he couldn’t help but feel anger at the hobbs. Enemy tribe or not, they were all goblins, all part of this new kingdom. Suddenly it struck him just how large all of this really was, and he was expected to lead it. He felt controlled, manipulated by forces beyond his ken.

Van Mord reappeared and held out two very short swords. “These will have to do for now.”

Learnwise took pulled the first sword out of its sheath and examined it. The blade was certainly better than his little knife, not at all rusted, still very sharp. Learnwise felt almost sad thinking about his dagger and how much it meant to him and how worthless it really was.

“The first thing you must learn is the stance, or how to hold your weapons.” Van Mord explained, drawing his own swords. “Mimic my position and my grip as best you can.”

The expert rogue steadied himself and held his weapons out in what Learnwise suspected was his attempt at being obvious. The goblin’s imitation wasn’t, for an amateur, terrible, but it was clearly not up to Van Mord’s standards. The rogue moved Learnwise’s arms, hands, and legs around, critiquing him. Learnwise couldn’t call Van Mord overly critical or lenient.

After several hours Learnwise was able to get into position fairly easily Van Mord left him to practice, warning that he would not be obvious in his return. The goblin was just getting the hang of things when Van Mord returned with a basket for lunch. They ate in an awkward silence. Learnwise was fairly certain that cheese was by far Van Mord’s favorite food.

From there Van Mord took the two shorts swords back and gave Learnwise a pair of small wooden ones. They sparred for two hours, Van Mord shouting advice and criticism whenever he saw a flaw (which was quite frequently). Overall Van Mord seemed, Learnwise guessed, relatively pleased with the first day of real training, though the rogue was still completely inscrutable.

“You are going to start having to bathe more.” Van Mord said out of the blue. “You don’t want to give yourself away. You aren’t able of easily taking on human-sized opponents directly, so you must use stealth and trickery instead. Anything that compromises you must be dealt with.”

And he vanished once again.

Learnwise returned to find a strange scene at the village. General Valiance was shouting orders, translated by Stillbush and Turtlecrack, and all the male goblins were lined up, holding strange things he had never seen before.

“…now I must remind you again to be careful with your crossbows!” Valiance said. “You have all been told the safety instructions, so just remember not to play with them or you will die, if not to the crossbow then to the hobgoblins when I send you out unarmed! Now, follow me to the shooting gallery we’ve prepared for you to practice in!”

Learnwise found Timinar as Valiance led the goblins away. “What’s going on? What’s General Valiance doing?”

“He is instructing your goblins on how to fire crossbows.” Timinar explained. “Crossbows are very deadly but also easy to use, so they are ideal weapons to give to a mass of untrained individuals. Of course, they will be slaughtered en masse if the hobgoblins get close…”

“What do they do?”

“Hobgoblins kill.”

“No, I mean the crossbows.”

“They shoot bolts out very quickly, which will grievously injure if not kill you when they hit. They are very dangerous.”

Timinar put a hand to his cloth-covered chin. “Actually, crossbows are rather expensive, with multiple mechanisms required to provide the necessary kinetic energy… unless these are dwarven crossbows, which wouldn’t surprise me, because we are allies with Kar Unol, the Boat of Order. That is probably why we can afford to provide so many.”

Learnwise couldn’t be sure but Timinar looked almost proud of this deduction. “Well that mystery is solved, Timinar, good job. Now I’m going to solve the mystery of where Applethrow is.”

“She is by the soupmaiden.” Timinar said. “I have solved the mystery before you even had a chance.”

“Soupmaiden?” Learnwise asked. Timinar pointed and Learnwise saw Applethrow and other females standing next to a large cauldron. The cauldron was suspended over a fire and though the goblins could see the steam rising up from it they were too short to look into it. Wendy Aucavo was stirring the pot while Pisky grazed nearby. When she noticed Timinar pointing she waved.

“She has been staring at me all day.” Timinar said, not waving back. “She frightens me.”

Learnwise couldn’t help but laugh at the oblivious wizard.

“I need to assassinate him, your majesty. The hobgoblin warlord must die.” Van Mord said, bowing before his king.

“I would normally agree, Van Mord, but not this time.” King Molossus responded when Naphi confirmed no fairies were listening in. “This time we do not seek to destroy our enemy completely. We want the goblins and hobgoblins to live peacefully in their new nation. Unfortunately, there are too many hobgoblins on the land. If the goblins are to move, they must have room. We must go to war.”

“This is the great flaw in the plan, your majesty.” Van Mord stated, his tone flat as usual. “You slaughter the hobgoblins and then give their land to their longtime enemies and expect things to go peacefully? Pardon my presumption, but that doesn’t seem likely to work.”

“You do not know he full situation like I do, Van Mord.” King Molossus explained. “Do know that I consider your questions valid and important, but there are things at play that are above even your station. I need you to continue training Learnwise for the coming battle.”

“As you wish, my king.” Van Mord vanished.

Learnwise was starting to enjoy his rogue training. It kept him away from all the work that the stupid chiefs kept trying to make him do. There was no reason he had to do everything, they ran the tribes after all! He ran obstacle courses, climbed trees, sparred with Van Mord, and even stole objects from the chieftains under Van Mord’s orders, then returned them without anyone knowing he had been there. He was learning quickly.

But not, he sensed, quickly enough for Van Mord.

“We have only a few weeks before the invasion begins, and you are still learning the basics.” Van Mord said to him. “Becoming a rogue takes years of work. You simply have no time.”

That day Van Mord vanished and reappeared with a crate. “These are all yours.” He set the crate down and deftly opened it.

Inside was a specially designed suit of roguish brown leather armor, sized for him exactly. There was a cloak with a hood measured for him to match the leather, the two steel swords and, to the goblin’s surprise, a steel crossbow.

“You have the dwarves to thank for this.” Said Van Mord.

“A crossbow?” Learnwise picked up the mechanical object and looked it over. Sleek and comfortable to hold, it was a masterpiece of craftdwarfship.

Van Mord withdrew a similar crossbow of his own. “Yes, a crossbow is one of the greatest weapons in your arsenal. Keep it well maintained, for when you will never know when you will need it.”

Learnwise picked up a sword and unsheathed it, then the other. Taking the stance like had been trained, he knew these were truly his blades and his alone. The dagger by his side was insignificant in comparison to these beautiful works of weaponry. Sheathing the two swords he reached for the leather armor, but Van Mord grabbed his hand.

“Take a bath first. Then keep bathing regularly.”

Groundrock was deeply troubled. The destruction of the Troutflicker weighed heavily on his and all the chieftains’ minds. With the Steeldoom around to protect them they had all thought there were no more worries, no dangers. Nutgore and his clan were dead, and it was a very sad, sobering reminder that the hobbs were still very dangerous. The meetings with the chieftains took on a different tone, not one of eagerness and excitement but anger and paranoia.

General Valiance had given each chieftain two soldiers as bodyguards. But despite this they all worried about when the next attack would come. And, if the reports were accurate, Gorguth himself had mastery of fire. Could even the Steeldoom stop that? Groundrock could not be sure, and Timinar was not particularly reassuring. The strange wizard, though acknowledged to be powerful, had never displayed any might, and—though he hated to think it—Groundrock worried that Timinar would not be enough.

“Chief!”

Groundrock turned to see a goblin running up to him. “Chief Groundrock, there is a Steeldoom demanding to see you. He’s by the tree with the twisted branches!”

Groundrock sighed. “Thanks for telling me, tell them I will be there shortly.” He got to his feet and felt old and weak. He was not long for this world. He only wished he would live to see the birth of his son’s goblings. He slowly made his way to the tree with twisted branches, the Steeldoom bodyguards on either side of him, wielding their menacing pikes. When he saw the old Steeldoom sitting on the horse, flanked by two knights, he stopped. The Steeldoom smiled widely.

“My old friend.” Lord Denaln said. “It has been too long, Lostin. I rescued you when you were but a child, and here we are, old and aged together again.”

Groundrock grinned. “I hear that you rescued my own son as well, Lord Denaln.”

“So that was your son?” Denaln laughed. “Amazing! No wonder he reminded me so much of you! Truly the world is a strange place!”

Learnwise’s training continued, but he no longer seemed to be making progress. This frustrated the goblin to no end. He had been moving so quickly, why did he falter now?

“This is why becoming a rogue takes years of training.” Van Mord said as they sparred, easily countering Learnwise’s slashes. “You are at a point where you must become a master before you can progress. The only way to do that is to practice, and the only practice that matters is going out and doing a mission. That will come soon enough.”

There was the sound of horses approaching and they stopped their match. Sir Vay, Sir Eptishus, Sir Mize, and a man in black robes approached. Dismounting, Sir Vay greeted Learnwise and Van Mord. “I hear that you are in need of some help training.”

“There is no help but time, knight.” Van Mord answered curtly.

“I’d have to disagree with you about that.” Sir Vay shrugged as the man in black robes dismounted. “For you see, we found a man who is very good at helping people.”

The man in black, with a serious face and short, black hair, bowed before Van Mord slightly. “My name is Rivid Bas. I am an enchanter. I can advance people to a level far higher than their own. Though it is not as good as years of training, it should be enough to make your student a decent enough rogue.” The man looked around. “Now, where is he?”

“I’m right here.” Learnwise waved at Rivid Bas, who did a double take.

“Peppers and jackrabbits! A goblin that talks!”

Suddenly Van Mord drew a throwing knife and, faster than anyone could react, threw it at Rivid Bas. The enchanter jerked his head reflexively, but there was a burst of blood as the blade his its mark.

“What just happened?” Sir Mize had half drawn his sword. “What did you do?”

“A fairy.” Van Mord said tersely. “It was almost invisible, just by your head. You all were careless. You can never trust the fairies, and you almost revealed us to them.”

“Oh… thanks?” Rivid Bas stared at the bloodied body of a tiny creature, destroyed as to be unrecognizable, by his feet.

“Your reactions are impressive, enchanter.” Van Mord crossed his arms. “Very well. You may work with my student, but only because all of our time is so limited.”

Rivid Bas rubbed his hands together. “All right, since time is of the essence, let’s get started. If you could all give us some space…”

Van Mord and the knights backed away.

“Now what most enchanters would do is just cast a spell to make your stronger or faster. That is impermanent, and prone to dispelling. The last thing you need is for the magic to vanish at a critical time.” Rivid Bas looked rather smug. “No, what I am going to do is far superior. I am going to give you false muscle memory.”

“You are going to do what, exactly?” Van Mord asked quizzically. “False muscle memory?”

“Exactly!” Rivid Bas said. “I’m going to create muscle memory artificially!”

“How about we assume that some of us don’t know what that means.” Learnwise suggested.

“Oh!” Rivid Bas scratched his head. “Well, do you know why or how training works? It’s because your muscles repeat motions and actions over and over again until they become automatic, second nature, and performing them becomes effortless. What I’m going to do is trick your muscles into remembering things they don’t actually remember. Now the catch is that you’ll be rather sore for a few days after this as your body gets used to this sudden change, but it should put you at a much higher level of skill. But if you want to get as good as our friend here you will need to actually train for years. Now, if you would just extend an arm…”

The next several hours were among the most awkward in Learnwise’s life. Rivid Bas was forced to enchant almost his entire body, to mutual chagrin. Van Mord vanished while the knights eventually left once Rivid Bas reminded them that small talk would make him break his concentration. But afterwards Learnwise felt stronger and more limber than he had ever before. He deftly spun both of his swords around before throwing them up in the air and catching them in their sheaths.

“I had no idea I could ever do something like this!” He said in amazement.

“Just keep practicing and then rest whenever you feel a strain.” Rivid Bas said, watching. “That part is important. Don’t overexert yourself for a few days. When you feel yourself stretched—and you’ll know what I mean—stop for a while.”

Van Mord reappeared and drew his swords. “Let’s test your new abilities then.” The rogue immediately struck out, an attack that would have been fatal had Learnwise not reacted, jumping far out of the way, drawing his own swords.

“I didn’t know I could do that either!”

“It’s all instinctual now.” Rivid Bas said, looking smug. “It’s because I’m so skilled that it’s like you’ve been doing this all your life.”

The fight between Van Mord and Learnwise was short but intense. The goblin surrendered quickly. “It’s hurting a lot, a whole lot.” He said, trembling involuntarily.

“It’s good that you stopped then. You’re just not used to it yet.” Rivid Bas said. “That trembling should stop soon. Let’s get you back home—don’t try and walk, we’ll carry you—so you can recuperate.”

“Have Valiance contact me when you are sufficiently recovered.” Van Mord ordered, vanishing.

“Well, I guess I’ll just carry you then.” Rivid Bas looked back where he’d come with the knights. “Did those knights take my horse? Did they? It’d be easier to ride than walk, I hope they didn’t tak—yeah, yeah, they took her.”

>Quick break then back to work
>How's the reading so far? Give a shout out
>If there's nobody reading
>Well I feel silly writing a novel post-by-post for nobody

>>12704668
dont feel silly I'm reading, although the enchanter was a bit easymode.

I like it.

Well, I had to say something.

>>12704751
This is very true. I AM A WRITER.

Learnwise wasn’t carried so much as he rode on Rivid Bas’ shoulders. It was a surreal experience—well, compared to what had been happening recently, not really—was this what it was like to live as something so tall? Slowly making your way through a world, constantly looking down at things smaller than yourself?

It was about sundown when Learnwise had guided Rivid Bas back to the village. Timinar and Efrempti immediately approached them. “That woman just continues to do nothing but stare!” Timinar complained.

Rivid Bas did a double take. “Sweet baked garlic bread! A wizard from the Arcanium!”

“He’s from the what?” Learnwise asked.

“I’m from the what?” Timinar asked.

“You know, the Arcanium!” Rivid Bas spread his arms wide. “Outside of Farodia it’s supposed to be the greatest wizard institution in the world! They say that the wizards there even have five of the Wands!”

“Wands?” Learnwise prepared himself for anything bout of getting confusing things explained to him.

“Batons with great innate magical power.” Timinar replied. “The Arcanium has all four of the elemental Wands and the Wand of Darkness.”

“What’s the Arcanium like? I’m so jealous you’re in it!” Rivid Bas asked. “I am not in a part of the Arcanium.” Timinar said, trying to turn away. Rivid Bas grabbed his arm while Learnwise almost fell off the enchanter’s head.

>>12704824
>not in a part
>Should be "I am not a member of the Arcanium"
>You're a wizard, Timinar, start being smart like one!

I'm reading and greatly enjoying.
Please continue!

“Then why do you wear the Arcanium uniform?” Rivid Bas asked, pointing at Timinar’s conical hat. “The cornuthaum, the cloak… are you telling me you’re just using the good image of the Arcanium for your own ends?”

“I am not abusing the uniform.” Timinar said, jerking his hand away and rubbing where Rivid Bas had gripped it. “I was declined membership because my proposed research project was deemed irrelevant to their pursuits. I still aspire to join them, but for now, I am just a helper.”

“Oh, so you’re a failed wizard.” Rivid bas placed his hands on his hips and made an odd face. “Herpan and derpan, I cast spells at the darkness! Derp derp!”

“Please stop that.” Timinar said.

“Well maybe someday you’ll be able to cast real magic like me.” Rivid Bas shook his head, smirking. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a goblin to take to his home.”

“No you don’t.” To Learnwise’s and Rivid Bas’ surprise, Learnwise was suddenly on Timinar’s left shoulder, visibly making it hard for the wizard to stand. “I will take my friend home.”

With that Timinar left, struggling to stay upright. Rivid Bas looked bemused by the situation. “I don’t even.”

He looked up at the sky. “And now to fade away until someone needs enchanting again…”

He saw Applethrow walk by him, going to follow Timinar and Learnwise. He stopped her. “Do you need any enchanting? I need to do some work…”

“Um… thanks, Timinar?” Learnwise said as the wizard dropped him off at his wigwam. The goblin rubbed an arm, sore from the enchanting.

“I hope you do not like him more than me.” Timinar said irritably.

“Oh, well, I don’t, really.” Learnwise desperately wanted out of this awkward conversation. “You’re very… um… helpful.”

“Good.” Timinar seemed satisfied. ”Efrempti, please make sure that evil woman isn’t following us.”

Learnwise still chuckled as the raven flew off. “You are very odd, though. But that’s good I guess.”

Something important occurred to him. “Listen, Timinar, I have a special job for you.”

“All right.”

“Now that Lord Denaln has left, I’m worried again that something might happen to my father.” Learnwise looked at the ground. “I just want you to make sure nothing bad happens to him, all right? Can you do that?”

Timinar made a peculiar gesture that was supposed to be a salute. “I can. Don’t worry, I will protect him.”

Learnwise awoke to hear shouting. He rubbed his eyes. The shouting continued. He listened, annoyed at what had woken him up.

“The hobgoblins have split up! There’s two groups now!”

Learnwise’s eyes widened in fear. The hobbs were attacking! He shook Applethrow awake. “Applethrow! Applethrow! Wake up, quickly!”

She slowly came to. “Mm… what’s going on?” She yawned.

“The hobbs are attacking!” Learnwise said, helping her up out of the straw pile. “Stay behind me, close, I’ll protect you.” He picked up his old dagger out of habit then looked at it. No, now was not the time for that. He took his two short swords and opened the way out.

The camp was in chaos. The Steeldoom were running about with their pikes held out. Goblins were running left and right in panic. There was fire everywhere, and, to Learnwise’s horror, Timinar lay unconscious on the ground next to Groundrock’s wigwam.

“No!” Learnwise cried. Ignoring the pain, he rushed out and toward the fallen wizard. Applethrow followed him when a whistling was heard from the air. Arrows fell around them, slaying several goblins and a human, who fell with a cry, dropping his pike. Applethrow hesitated and stayed back.

“Stay with the Steeldoom Applethrow!” Learnwise shouted. “They can protect you!”

He did not hear her calling out for him. He wove his way through the arrows, trying to get to his father’s wigwam, when he saw them. Tall and fierce, the hobbs were painted the color of blood, wearing nothing but boots and strips of cloth. They threw their spears at the Steeldoom, slaying another and wounding a third.

Then Warlord Gorguth appeared in his terrifying armor. The Talisman of the Inferno glowed red hot as he called forth a ball of flame, hurtling it at the human’s giant tent. The tarp immediately went up in flames, sending a column of black smoke rising into the night sky.

There was another whistling and a second volley of arrows descended upon them all. Wendy took cover underneath her wagon, covering her head with her arms. She spotted the wizard slumped over, unmoving, and gasped in horror.

Applethrow barely avoided being struck by an arrow, only to find the pierced body of Efrempti beside her. She shrieked with fear. Then a pack of hobgoblins came from around the other side, behind her. Her eyes with terror, tears of fear streaming down her face, she ran, and they followed. One through his spear at her, grazing her shoulder, and she fell to the ground.

Several hobgoblins penetrated the line where the pikemen had fallen. A resourceful goblin slew him with a crossbow bolt to the head and was reward with a blast of flame. As the goblin’s burning form fell to the ground Gorguth laid his eyes on Timinar.

“So someone already killed the wizard?” He spat on the ground. “How dare they ruin my honor! If I cannot take your wizard I will take your chief instead!”

Learnwise saw his father trying to sneak away from the wigwam. Knowing what was about to happen he called out, but too late! Gorguth roared an a massive plume of fire soared from his hand, incinerating the wigwam which exploded forward. Groundrock fell, struck by the burning wood of his own home.

Learnwise fell to his knees, dropping his two swords and weeping. Another volley rained down, and he did not avoid them. But with a loud clang he was saved by a large steel shield, deflecting the arrows.

General Valiance stood above the young goblin, shield raised, its eagle proudly visible. He wore no armor, standing sword drawn in naught but a brown shirt pants and shoes.
“Too many innocents have died to you!” He called out to Gorguth, pointing his sword at the hobgoblin. “Surrender and your death may yet be a clean one!”

Gorguth laughed at the human daring to challenge him. He conjured a fireball and threw lobbed it lazily. Valiance batted it away with his sword, sending it flying into the chest of a hobgoblin, where it exploded. Warlord Gorguth roared in anger and shot a massive ray of flame directly at the general, who blocked it with his shield. The heat of the fire was so intense that the metal grew red hot, burning Valiance’s flesh. And yet the general did not falter or cry out, but advance forward, against the flames, against the warlord.

Gorguth faltered, cutting off the stream of flames. He raised his axe, signaling the hobgoblins to throw their spears at the human fast approaching. A flurry of crossbow bolts flew out from behind Valiance, striking the hobgoblins, who fell hollering. The goblins of Honeyrumble, enraged by the death of their chief and inspired by the courage of the human who had trained them, reloaded and fired another volley, slaying more of the vicious hobbs.

Valiance swung his sword at Gorguth, who blocked it with his axe. The hobgoblin leapt backwards and shot another fireball at the human, who struck it away into a hobgoblin. The burst of the fireball sent burning flesh onto the sword’s blade, and the glow and the heat of this now flaming sword sent fear into the heart of Gorguth.

But the warlord knew how to retreat, and with all his power, summoned a wall of fire between the hobgoblins and Valiance. “We have killed the wizard and the chief! Victory is ours! Let us return to the Fortress of Blood!”

Valiance did not pursue them. He turned back to the village. “Tend to the wounded! Quickly, rescue the hurt and injured!”

Timinar was rolling over on the ground, his cloak burning. Valiance quickly threw the burning hot shield and sword away and patted the fire out. “Wizard! Are you all right? What happened?”

Timinar pulled himself to his feet and looked around, covered in dirt and charcoal, his bifocals completely opaque. He took them off and rubbed them on the cleanest part of his cloak he could see. “Efrempti!”

The raven appeared good as new on the wizard’s shoulder. “Find chief Groundrock, we have to help him—“

“He’s dead.” Valiance said, nursing his singed arm. “Their warlord killed him with a blast of flame.”

“He’s not dead! He’s not dead!” Learnwise called out with joy, pulling Groundrock out from the burning rubble. “He’s still breathing!”

Groundrock gasped and coughed, His breathing was ragged, his body was badly burned, and he was bleeding profusely. “No… I’m not alive… I won’t survive for… much longer.”

“Don’t say that!” Learnwise whispered to him, ripping off a piece of his own shirt, trying to wrap it around one of his father’s wounds. “You’re going to be fine!”

“No, my son… this is it… I am going to die…” Groundrock coughed again. Timinar and Valiance ran over to the two goblins, bending down over them. “General Valiance… Timinar… thank you for your kindness…”

“No… no…” Learnwise shook his head.

“Is there any way we can make you comfortable?” Valiance asked quietly. Groundrock shook his head.

“Just allow me my final words with my son…” He gasped.

“Very well.” Valiance motioned to Timinar. “Let’s help the survivors.”

“A-all right.” Timinar said rather faintly, following the general.

Groundrock reached out to his son, barely stroking his cheek. “My son… don’t cry over me… I lived a long life…” He coughed heavily and his voice grew weaker. “I just want to say how proud I am… I loved you so much…”

“Father…”

“I just wish that… that I could have seen your own goblings…” Groundrock smiled. “All of this has been so amazing, but… the most amazing day of my life… was when you were born, Learnwise. How… how far you’ve come… It is up to you now, my son. Lead the clan… your are chief now… guide us to our new land.”

Groundrock’s hand fell to the ground. With a contented sigh, Groundrock took his last breath, and passed on.

“Are you okay?” Wendy asked, bending over Applethrow, who was holding a bleeding shoulder. The goblin did not understand what she said, but the farmgirl saw her wound. Wendy went back to the wagon and came back with a bit of cloth and began to clean the wound. Applethrow winced but did not resist.

Timinar ran over but hesitated when he saw Wendy. He decided to attend to Applethrow and bent down to her, speaking fluent goblin. “What happened?”

“You’re alive!” Wendy gasped, but Timinar held a hand out to silence her.

“Hobgoblins chased after me.” Applethrow explained, sniffling. “One hit me with his spear and I fell, but that enchanter stopped them and they ran away. He chased after them. Then more arrows fell and I just kept trying to avoid them.”

“Oh! It was that enchanter.” Timinar sounded indignant. “Efrempti! Go to Learnwise, tell him that I have found Applethrow, whom that stupid enchanter abandoned.”

The raven flew off.

“Oh I knew that enchanter was no good!” Wendy said loudly, having no idea who this enchanter was.

“A terrible wizard.” Timinar muttered. “Applethrow, it’s going to be all right. Learnwise is fine, he isn’t hurt, but Groundrock is dead.”

“Our chief is dead?” Applethrow stared at the wizard. “No! He can’t be dead! There’s no way!”

“Um… he is dead.” Timinar stated. “He was crushed and burned by his wigwam when it exploded, and he was probably impaled by the burning wood as well. He could not have survived that. Groundrock is dead.”

“He’s dead because of you!” Learnwise shouted. “It’s your fault! You were supposed to protect him! What happened? Did the hobbs take you out early or did you just pretend to be dead?”

Timinar stood up, looking at Learnwise. “I was asleep.”

“Asleep.” Learnwise almost laughed at the stupidity of the answer. “You were asleep in the middle of all this battle.”

“Without sleep I cannot concentrate and without concentration I cannot avoid accidentally ripping a hole within space and time.”

Learnwise was more furious than he had ever felt. His rage boiled over, spilling into everything, consuming him entirely. “You were supposed to protect my father and you decided to sleep instead! Then, when we were attacked, did you teleport him out? Did you cast a spell to help? No! YOU WERE ASLEEP! My father is dead—our chief was murdered—because you felt tired!”

“I’m sorry.” Timinar stared at the ground between them.

“What’s going on? I can’t understand what you’re saying?” Wendy asked, but she was ignored.

“I can’t believe you! You call yourself a wizard!” Learnwise held his head. The pain was returning in full force. “Get out. Get out of my village.”

“Learnwise, I am supposed to help you.” Timinar said.

“You can’t help us!” Learnwise yelled. “Get out! As Chief of the Honeyrumble Clan, I order you to leave our village and never come back! Take your bird and just go! Go die for real at the hands of the hobbs for all I care! Just go!”

For a moment Timinar simply stood there, motionless. He looked through his dirty bifocals at the goblin. “I’m sorry, Learnwise.”

“Go!” Learnwise walked past him to Applethrow and looked at her shoulder.

“But I—“

“Go!” Learnwise began to sob on Applethrow’s uninjured shoulder. Timinar looked back at the goblins and Wendy, then walked away.

>We've gotten pretty far, haven't we?
>What do you think?
>Another break
>And then we shall continue.

>And back to work

Learnwise sighed. There had been no ceremony for his ascension to chiefdom, no celebration. There was only mourning for the death of Groundrock. General Valiance was the hero of the day, and suddenly all goblins, even those outside Honeyrumble, knew of how he fought the flames. The brave goblins who had put their crossbows to use were also heroes, and many females threw themselves at their feet.

For all of his training Learnwise had been helpless. His body was in greater pain than ever before, from the enchantments and overstraining it, yet he could not rest. Though Applethrow did her best to help him, he had too much work to do as the new chief. With Timinar gone it was all the harder, and Rivid Bas had left for Soltador.

Now he walked with General Valiance and the other chieftains into Cridon once more for the meeting to discuss the final plans of the invasion. The chieftains were ecstatic, and Learnwise felt that they were more excited at the prospect of castles and the death of the hated Groundrock than at having the opportunity to help their clans.

The tower was filled with people. King Molossus himself sat at the end of a large table, Royal Wizard Naphi by his side. There were several knights, all proud and dignified in their gleaming eagle armor. There were several small humans, wide, muscular, and very bearded, who sat to King Molossus’ left. At the center of them was one dwarf who radiated a sense of strength, wielding a massive hammer.

Opposite the dwarves sat two of the most beautiful creatures Learnwise had ever seen (and they weren’t even goblins!). Both had beautiful long hair, smooth, pale skin… one wore very chain mail beneath a light blue tabard depicting a light blue moon, a quiver and bow by her side. The other wore black robes with blue cuffs, and she radiated a sense of ultimate power over all she could see. All of the chieftains, Learnwise included, were anxious in the presence of these people.

Squires and servants poured everyone drinks in fine goblets. King Molossus rose, and all who were not goblins rose with him. Learnwise and the other chieftains were embarrassed to have not done so instantly, but Molossus did not seem bothered.

“Allow us now to informally welcome our newest allies, the goblins of Harmony Forest.” Molossus said. There was polite clapping and Learnwise, in the corner of his eye, managed to see Van Mord on the wall, silently and almost invisibly killing a spying fairy. He felt oddly proud of himself for this.

“Now goblins, may I introduce you to the other members of this alliance.” Molossus sat down, and everyone sat with him, goblins included. “This is High Thane Hammerhead, ruler of the dwarves of Kar Unol, the Boat of Order.”

The dwarf with the warhammer stood up, and there was more polite clapping. “I have pledged a full fifty of my finest hammerdwarves to the cause!” High Thane Hammerhead declared loudly. “No force can stand in their path once they partake in the joy of slaughter!”

As the High Thane sat down, King Molossus motioned to the elves. “And this is Queen Esoterica, ruler of the elves of Koholon.”

The elf in the black robes stood up. “I give to your cause one of my finest rangers, Vhera the Farshot. She is all that I can provide, but more than you need.”

The clapping was decidedly more enthusiastic for Queen Esoterica.

“And now the chieftains of the goblins.” Molossus said. “First is the newly appointed Chief Learnwise of the Honeyrumble, who alerted us to the goblin plight and the danger of the hobgoblins. May we toast to his late father, Chief Groundrock, who was just cruelly murdered by the hobgoblins.”

Everyone held up their goblets. The goblins were somewhat confused as the humans, dwarves, and two elves touched the goblets together and drank.

“Let us also greet Chief Emberneed of the Undercandle, Chief Fieldflow of the Cobbleslash, Oakspine of the Raftready, Weedmark of the Branchwrought, Lookbird of the Riverseethe, Gustthirst of the Hillwalk, Frightwood of the Burnlead, and Dendoubles of the Buttdragger.”

There was much whispering among those in attendance.

“On reflection, we have decided that Dendoubles is not a real chief.” King Molossus stated. “Soldiers, please escort him out.”

As the two guards dragged the goblin away he shouted “I’m a real chief! The Buttdragger Clan is very honorable!”

“Let us also mourn for the loss of Nutgore, Chief of the Troutflicker, who were destroyed by the hobgoblins in a night attack.” Molossus said. This time Learnwise was ready, and he clanked his goblets against other goblets. Gutthirst was the only goblin to spill his.

“Now, General Valiance, please explain the plan of attack.”

Naphi conjured a glowing map on the large table. The soldiers of the Eagle Kingdom and Boat of Order were represented by blue, the goblins by green, and the hobgoblins by orange. Valiance stood up and began to talk.

“As per the hammerdwarves’ many requests, we shall open with them launching an assault on this war camp to the ridge here.” Blue marks completely obliterated the orange. “At the same time, an elite team consisting of Vhera, Learnwise, and a subject of the Eagle Kingdom will sneak into this tower here. With the tower taken we are free to bring out entire force to bear to take the bridge.”

Valiance emphasized the point. “This bridge is key to getting the goblins up and running. We must take it as quickly as possible and not allow the hobgoblins to damage it. From the bridge we will take the farms and fortress here, again doing minimal damage. From there we will advance towards the Fortress of Blood, doing as little damage as possible to the fields and structures. With the defensive position of the tower by the bridge secured, the elite team will sneak their way through the areas down here to the south of Lake Perry. They will continue to assassinate the hobgoblin leadership and make their way into the fortress of blood. Once there, they are to assassinate all hobgoblin officers, but the warlord only as a last resort. He will be attacked only if he attacks first. Most likely he will join his soldiers in battle, so the point is irrelevant. With the hobgoblin leadership crippled all the way to the Fortress of Blood, the army should collapse quickly, and victory will be ours.”

>All righty guys, we're basically at a stopping point
>Since the night is still young, I am willing to continue if you are
>Otherwise we will pickup next week on Saturday
>Your decision

>>12706678
moremoarMOREMOAR!

>I'm not gonna write this for just one person
>If you want to continue tonight post relatively soon or I will upload it to DA and wait for next week
>MFW I'm still writing a novel on 4chan for like 3 people tops

>>12706840
Two people, at least. Plus remember, for every person who posts there are three-five lurkers. So call that six-ten!

>All righty, we shall press on!
>Phone rings
>FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF We will be back after these messages

>It's my editor
>I'm gonna call it
>Sorry folks
>Come back next week!
>It's going on DA

MORE MORE MORE

Awww, that's it?

Oh well, I'll be looking forward to next week's installment!

>>12709149
>that's it
>I laughed because this is over 21k words and nowhere near complete
>MFW I think about the sheer epicness that is the future storyline

These goblins I love.